Disability Employment
“The incubator has allowed us to reflect on a very long list of areas that are critical to the success of our social enterprise both from an operational and impact perspective. It has helped us develop and implement improvements that have assisted us in dramatically strengthening what we offer, improving our processes and become more sustainable”
In 2021, Shay wasn’t happy. Working behind the scenes of a local laundromat, his employer constantly complained about his low productivity and suggested he wasn’t cut out for employment. Shay, like 1 in 70 people in Australia, is autistic. And his employer’s feedback made his family worry about his future. But once Shay started at Hotel Etico, everything changed.
In Australia, people with disabilities have a significantly lower employment rate than those without – 48% compared with 80% respectively. With 4.4million Australians living with disability, too many people are not realising their potential.
But Australia’s first social enterprise hotel, Hotel Etico, is determined to set things right. Based on the Italian Albergo Etico model, Hotel Etico runs a trainee program that provides employment and independent living opportunities to young people with disabilities in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales.
The 2-year program supports trainees to learn about and participate in the day-to-day operation of the hotel and restaurant and secure ongoing employment. Trainees live on site during the first 12 months of the program, where they rotate through various hospitality roles – spending the first three months of induction across all areas of the business (reception, guest services and housekeeping, kitchen, restaurant floor and bar) and then they choose an elective area in which they specialise over the following nine months. They also participate in a four week work experience program with a growing number of employment partners including the Fullerton Hotel Sydney, Sofitel and the Fairmont Resort in the Blue Mountains.
Trainees are paid full award wages and once they graduate, they secure open employment and receive ongoing support for a further minimum of twelve months.
Shay’s job at the laundromat saw him working alone, without much interaction. But at Hotel Etico he was front and centre, where he could chat to guests and work closely with other people. And he’s been thriving ever since.
Since opening its doors in 2020, 28 young adults with disabilities have graduated and another 15 are currently halfway through the first year of their Hotel Etico program. Twenty graduates are in secure employment while the remaining eight are currently being supported in securing ongoing roles. After graduating, Shay had employment offers from some of NSW’s best hotels. Today he works full-time at the prestigious The Fullerton Hotel in Sydney, splitting his time between the bar and working as a bus boy – and loving every minute.
Hotel Etico’s Co-Founder and CEO, Andrea Comastri says the social enterprise’s innovative approach, which includes the Academy of Independence – a dedicated apartment in the hotel where trainees stay – is the key to its success.
“Our residential program really goes deep to change lives for individual participants, their families, employers and the wider community. This is within the context of a self-sustainable social enterprise, which is scalable and replicable. The program adopts a holistic approach to training and support, with specialised hospitality and disability support.”
With trainees front and centre in the business, the program not only helps young people build independence and skills, it also significantly changes community and employers’ perspectives about disability and employment.
To help bolster its operations, Hotel Etico took part in Sefa Partnership’s 2023 Social Enterprise Growth Incubator program. Developed to help social enterprises that break cycles of disadvantage in Australia grow, the 10-month program helped Hotel Etico find the right structure, empower its leadership team and help balance organic growth with opening new sites.
Through customised sprints, the team uncovered an opportunity to focus their efforts on promoting corporate stays at the hotel to expand its revenue line. It has since created specific packages, adopted a new proposals software and hired a business development manager to grow this offering.
During the program, the team also identified an opportunity to improve operations and efficiency through a restaurant booking software. Implementing the technology brought on immediate improvements for the team. Rolling out new organisational culture development and training is also helping the leadership team cement the right foundations that will enable the social enterprise to grow.
With a strong foundation, streamlined operations and a successful track record, Hotel Etico is ready to realise its vision and replicate its model in other states and territories. The team is now looking for various partners who share the social enterprise’s vision and want to help grow its impact – helping others like Shay develop meaningful and fulfilling careers.
“We need investors who are prepared to invest in properties from which to operate our hotels. And wherever we go, we will need to build our network of partners, including employment, referral partners and delivery partners.”
